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Greetings, Quotaholics:
As you know I’m an old anti-war hippy. That’s not to say that I believe
war is never necessary. When someone like Hitler is trying to destroy
an entire race of people and enslave the citizens of the world it becomes
necessary to stop him at all costs. But for the most part I see war as
an inhumane affront to civilization that should be avoided at all costs.
The
point of war, of course, is to kill your enemy. In order to do that one
requires weapons. These weapons are supplied, under contract, by various
manufacturers and must meet specifications set forth by the military.
One such manufacturer came under fire this week when it was discovered
they were including biblical references in the numbers stamped on their
gun sights. According to an ABC
News report, Trijicon, a Michigan based company, "…has a $660
million multi-year contract to provide up to 800,000 sights to the Marine
Corps, and additional contracts to provide sights to the U.S. Army."
"Tom Munson, director of sales and marketing for Trijicon, which
is based in Wixom, Michigan, said the inscriptions ‘have always been there’
and said there was nothing wrong or illegal with adding them. The company
has said the practice began under its founder, Glyn Bindon, a devout Christian
from South Africa who was killed in a 2003 plane crash."
"’It’s wrong, it violates the Constitution, it violates a number
of federal laws,’ said Michael
‘Mikey’ Weinstein of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, an advocacy
group that seeks to preserve the separation of church and state in the
military. ‘It allows the Mujahedeen, the Taliban, al Qaeda and the insurrectionists
and jihadists to claim they’re being shot by Jesus rifles,’ he said."
"’This is probably the best example of violation of the separation
of church and state in this country,’ said Weinstein. ‘It’s literally
pushing fundamentalist Christianity at the point of a gun against the
people that we’re fighting. We’re emboldening an enemy.’"
It seems to me that anything manufactured under government contract should
have been inspected to ensure that there was nothing like this going on.
I don’t buy the argument that the sights will somehow "insult"
the enemy. You’re attempting to kill them. They should be insulted by
the bullets flying their way, not what’s written on the weapon.
But of course the shit, as they say, has hit the fan already.
An Army
Times report says New Zealand will remove the offending biblical references.
USA
Today is reporting that Trijicon has now announced they will stop
putting the references on new sights and will provide modification kits
for the sights already in use.
Associated Baptist
Press reported that Welton Gaddy, president of the Washington-based
Interfaith Alliance, sent a letter to President Obama saying the episode
…’is only the latest in a long line of violations of the boundaries
between religion and government within the military.’"
It seems that no matter what side of the religious fence you’re on, your
side is mad about this too.
So do you see this as a big deal? Is the manufacturer of a product free
to include any cryptic code they want in their serial numbers? Does the
presence of these biblical references make these "weapons of god"?
Does it promote the belief that America is involved in a "religious
crusade"? When you’re at war with a fundamentalist religions group,
can you avoid the perception that you are fighting a religious war?
Let me state that this is not intended to provoke religious debate. Don’t
start sending in verses justifying a religious war. What I’m wanting to
know is how you feel about biblical references being present on the weapons.
Peacefully,
Comment
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" My girlfriend always laughs during sex - no matter what she’s
reading." - Steve Jobs, founder of Apple Computers
" Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in
overalls and looks like work." - Thomas Edison
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Economic Indicators
[Thanks Ruth in WA]
1. The economy is
so bad… that I got a pre-declined credit card in the mail.
2. The economy is so bad… I ordered a burger at McDonalds and the
kid behind the counter asked, “Can you afford fries with that?”
3. The economy is so bad… that CEO’s are now playing miniature golf.
4. The economy is so bad… if the bank returns your check marked
“Insufficient Funds,” you call them and ask if they meant you or them.
5. The economy is so bad… Hot Wheels and Matchbox stocks are trading
higher than GM.
6. The economy is so bad… McDonald’s is selling the 1/4 ouncer.
7. The economy is so bad… parents in Beverly Hills fired their nannies
and learned their children’s names..
8. The economy is so bad… a truckload of Americans was caught sneaking
into Mexico..
9. The economy is so bad… Dick Cheney took his stockbroker hunting.
10. The economy is so bad… Motel Six won’t leave the light on anymore.
11. The economy is so bad… the Mafia is laying off judges.
12. The economy is so bad… Exxon-Mobil laid off 25 Congressmen.
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" A bachelor’s life is a fine breakfast, a flat lunch, and a miserable
dinner."
" A little philosophy inclineth man’s mind to atheism, but depth
in philosophy bringeth men’s minds about to religion."
" A man must make his opportunity, as oft as find it." - All
by English philosopher Sir Francis Bacon born on this day in 1561
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And
Sometimes The Bull Wins
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Speak right up!
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Disaster
We see in recent news about the devastation and aftermath of a severe
earthquake in Haiti. This is a disaster of proportion that few have
seen in their lifetime.
But, disaster does not have to be of such magnitude. Many towns have
been removed from the countryside by tornadoes and other climatic events.
Hurricanes have wiped out villages in more countries than can be counted.
Whether they are called hurricane, typhoon, tropical storm, cyclonic
storm, tropical depression, or simply cyclone, the phenomenon is the
same, and can be horrendous. Tornadoes can be miles wide and clear a
wide path of everything man-made in it’s wake.
Floods affecting nearby residents and businesses have also changed the
way people live. Whether it is a sudden wall of water and debris rushing
through, or a continually rising level of a river or stream, the damage
resulting can permanently and dramatically affect those in the way.
Personal property and commercial materials can be damaged and/or contaminated
to where it can no longer be used and must be discarded. The economic
toll alone is often more than can be overcome.
No matter how widespread the damage, and irregardless the cause, every
person affected usually finds they are overwhelmed with so many details,
they are overcome and simply do not know where to begin. Often, due
to the lack of resources, aid is slow in arriving. People in such circumstances
have to react quickly, often finding their own resources, no matter
how limited, to be their only hope. After the shock of the event is
past, the effort of recovery begins, often with a considerable loss
to those directly affected.
Obviously, food and shelter are tantamount. Clothing is also needed,
although victims are often seen wearing the same soiled and damaged
clothes for extended periods as they have nothing else to wear. Some
organizations can provide for the most basic of these needs, but the
economic loss of damaged homes, property and even internment of those
who lost everything, including their lives, has a long-term affect on
the victims.
Disaster comes in many forms. It also has many effects. Without a doubt,
even as those who have come to aid return to their normal lives, the
effects continue for those directly affected. It may be only a few families
who lost everything when a tornado targeted their homes. It may be only
those who live next to a river or stream that became angry after a heavy
downpour. Or, it can be a whole nation that is shaken to it’s foundation
by an earthquake. But the effect is felt individually, and often to
such a degree to alter their lives forever.
Here’s your quiz:
Have you ever had a natural disaster befall you?
Have you had to deal with Mother Nature causing damage to your property,
or to someone you know?
Have you had a circumstance where you needed "public assistance"?
Disaster - In Such Times, No Matter How Many Others Are Affected, Victims
Are "Alone"
Cliff (the High-Tech Redneck who doesn’t rate a fancy ’signature pic’)
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Email Kirsten
“Why
waste money on psychotherapy when you can listen to the B Minor Mass?”
~ Michael Torke ~
The landscape of technology has changed dramatically over the last twenty-odd
years. I remember the day - when I was in tenth or eleventh grade -
when my school opened its optimistically named “media centre”. The media
centre comprised a sectioned-off area of the library, in which, in glorious
isolation, sat a single Apple computer on a table. I didn’t really get
to use the computer very much - that honour belonged to a classmate
of mine by the name of Kate. The rest of us would watch in awe as Kate
did magical things with that bright green cursor on the black screen.
Compared to the rest of us in those days, Kate was a technological whiz-kid.
Now, twenty-three years later, we live in a world where my four-year-old
takes regular computer classes at school. He doesn’t even have to share.
Each kid has his or her own computer to work with. My older son, all
of six years old and autistic, turns on the computer by himself, navigates
his way to Youtube, and types in the search string to get to the video
he wants to see. The kid finds his way around Youtube better than I
do. Lord help us when he’s old enough for a Facebook profile.
There are all sorts of things we can do with computers these days. You
can watch your favourite TV shows or read your favourite books. Email
has all but replaced “snail mail” and even many bills are sent electronically.
If you want to get into shape, you don’t need to go to the gym anymore.
All you do is plug in the Wii Fit and away you go. You can practice
your golfing or go ten-pin bowling right in the comfort of your own
living room.
And now I have been introduced to something else that I had not known
about, but knowing my propensity to pay selective attention to the world
around me, has probably been around forever. This new phenomenon - new
at least to me - is e-counselling. The concept of e-counselling is very
simple. If you’re messed up in the head and need therapy, you don’t
have to look up numbers in the Yellow Pages (does anyone even remember
what they are?), and you don’t have to fight traffic to get to a place
that has no parking, so you can spill your soul to a complete stranger
who’s going to charge you two hundred bucks an hour.
Some companies are now offering a service whereby you complete a registration
form, and write down an introduction of yourself and any issues you
feel comfortable sharing right off the bat. You fill in a section about
your history, any therapy you’ve tried before, any medications you are
on, whether you are about to completely lose it and hurt yourself or
someone else. And then, one or two days later, you get an email from
a fully qualified therapist. And you and the therapist engage in email
communication, in which the therapist helps you work through whatever
you are seeking help for.
And how do I know all this? Well, it’s offered in the benefits package
where I work, and I don’t have to pay anything for it. I have some unresolved
issues from the past that I’d really like to sort out, and I don’t feel
comfortable with face-to-face therapy. So I have decided to give this
a try. On Wednesday I received my first email from my therapist, and
I am taking my time to formulate my response. The email I received was
very nice - supportive, positive, no trace of judgment.
Will this be effective? Who knows? It can’t hurt to try.
Kaleidoscopically yours,
Kirsten
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I woke up early this morning so I would have time to stop and put
air in a tire that was a little low. What I didn’t know was that it
was going to be 14ºF when I left for work. I stopped anyway, but couldn’t
unscrew the cap on the valve. As I drove away vowing to return when
it got warmer, I misjudged where a curb was and blew out my front
tire. Not exactly eager to change a tire when it was that cold out,
I stopped at a repair shop to get a new one. The guy said they could
put on the spare, and I could stop after work to get my new tire put
on. Apparently, my tires are obsolete and hard to find. They are also
expensive, $85 for the tire and $20 for putting on the spare. I opted
for the $20 option.
So I called around and found one for $40. That was better, and they
had it in stock. I left work early to get it, and now my car is fixed.
But I’m in no mood to write, so you’ll have to deal with just my whining.
Sorry.
Tim a’Musing
Having a Ball with Yarns
E-mail Dear Tim
Comment
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Uses For Coffee Filters
[Thanks Deborah]
Protect
China by separating your good dishes with a coffee filter between
each dish.
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Pretty good turnout for a so-so line.
Next opening line…
This winter has really been rough…
Hints:
Here’s a great new rhyming/composition tool. http://www.writerhymes.com/
There’s also a great rhyming dictionary at http://www.rhymezone.com/
Limerick rules. http://freespace.virgin.net/merrick.sheldon/limerickrules.htm
Submit
Opening Line
Submit
Limerick
Online
is where I spend my time
Which is good, it doesn’t cost me a dime
I do puzzles and games
But where I go down in flames
Is when I am trying to make me a rhyme - Bonnie |
Online
is where I spend my time…
I hate to admit it, but I’m
Hooked on gameplaying..
Yes, addicted, I’m saying.
I barely had time for this rhyme! - Ellen |
Online is
where I spend my time
Trying to find my gold mine
I follow marketing schemes
To fulfill my big dreams
But I’ve yet to make one thin dime. — Rae of Sunshine |
Online is
where I spend my time
Looking for words that will rhyme
Words clever and slick
To use in a limerick
To send to this silly e-zine! — Rae of Sunshine |
Online is
where I spend my time
Looking for old friends of mine
Chatting and talking
Becomes cyber stalking
And now they’ve made it a crime. - Rae of Sunshine |
Online is
where I spend my time
Committing various cyber crime
I get my tunes and my flicks
And good porno pics
Without paying so much as a dime. - Rae of Sunshine |
Online is
where I spend my time
Which can’t be a very good sign
The point that is pivotal
Is that my friends are all digital
And I think that I’m going quite blind. - Rae of Sunshine |
Online is
where I spend all my time
It’s assisting my career climb
Not due to my industry
But to my discovery
Of pics of my boss’s young bride. - Rae of Sunshine |
Online is
where I spend all my time
Searching for treasures both rare and fine
My bidding on eBay
Takes most of each day
I have hundreds of one of a kind. - Rae of Sunshine |
Online is
where I spend my time
To find meals on which I can dine
To me it’s a nuisance
Missing ingredients . . .
Not only that, I’m out of thyme. - Anne Onimous |
"Online
is where I spend my time"
I’m having problems with this line
Though there’s words aplenty
I’m coming up empty
With a clever or funny rhyme. - Anne Onimous |
Online is
where I spend my time
Wishing that I could cruise the Rhine.
I wish this were no joke
But you see I’m so broke
I can only take trips in my mind. - E. Cole Aye |
Online is
where I spend my time
Reading content from those who opine
Aptly in RGQ.
Then write a verse for you
Based on the limerick starting line. - E. Cole Aye |
Online is
where I spend my time
To make time pass in that airport line
But those full body scans
Make me look like clothes sans
I wish they would first ply me with wine. - E. Cole Aye
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Re: Kirsten’s Back
get well soon - dEE
Re:
Reward System
Reward
systems for behavior modification, huh? Well, dogs and kids got cookies,
or "cookies" in the dog’s case, so do my husband and I come
to think of it. Attaboys (vocal praise) are liberally passed out but
don’t really mean as much after children learn the value of money.
As adults we’ve discussed papering the walls of the little room with
paper ones. The dog, again, is good either way. The cats ignore everything
except physical removal from the furniture and have trained me to
clean the litter box on a regular basis.
Honestly, any method has worked since consistency is the real key.
I try to use a little of all methods depending on the situation. I
suspect this is how I was trained (?) too! - Ruth in WA
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Disclaimer- All quotes printed in this publication are believed to be
accurately attributed, but no guarantees are made that some incorrectly
attributed, or even outright false quotes won’t get in here from time
to time. I assure readers that I will do my best to weed out incorrect
quotes, and will print a retraction as soon as I become aware of any errors.
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and point it out to me. I’m in the process of compiling an e-book
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